“Do you want to give me an anaphylactic reaction?”
Jackson’s mouth opens and closes a few times, before he huffs, shoving his large hands into his pockets. The man sure is beautiful. If I had a type, if I could be with someone, the man might be an option. But I have no options and I cannot have a type.
“I’ll be in town for a few days. Are you sure we can’t hang out?”
I scowl at him, letting the entire weight of my ire for the question be aimed at him. “I don’t need company. Go back to your friends.”
His eye twitches as he stares down at me. I fight back a shiver at his assessing gaze. His eyes are so brown that I can hardly make out his pupil. The prettiest eyes I’ve ever seen, just like the rest of him. Disgusting. Finally, he seems to get it, and disappears back toward his friends. He glances over his shoulder once, and I flick him off with a smirk. Just before he turns around, a small smile tugs at his lips, making me feel less like I won, and more like maybe he did. Something about that rankles and excites me at the same time.
Mom’s gaze slowly sweeps over me as I enter into the mostly silent front office. One second, two seconds, and then…
“The medicine made you sick, didn't it? I can’t believe you came to this, Harper. When you get sick, it lowers your immune system, you could get sicker.”
Stifling the urge to argue, I curl my fingers into my palms, letting the bite of pain steady my irritation at her treating me like a child. Still. At twenty-five.
“I’m fine. I feel great.”
She rolls her eyes. “I’ll give you a ride home.”
“I’m staying.”
Her stare turns even harder, foot tapping against the floor. “No. I’m taking you home. No arguments.”
All the fight bleeds out of me when my stomach rolls dangerously, sending nausea rippling through me. She must see it on my face, because victory seeps into her features, for only a moment, before she carefully fixes her face.
I was at the festival for like twenty minutes
feel sick, going home with my mom
Andy
I love you, Harp.
If you loved me, you’d kill me
THAT IS NOT FUNNY
Lol
2
JACKSON
Ican see the appeal of what made Eli and Trevor decide to make a life in Clay Springs. The town is sickeningly sweet and absolutely everything moves slower here. It reminds me so much of home back in Georgia. Twangy southern accents, fresh air that isn’t full of that city stink, and a redhead that has intrigued me for weeks.
“What’s with the frown?” Trevor asks curiously.
The day has wound down at the festival, orange light casting over the property as the sun slowly sets. I love seeing my friends in love with good men. Curly-haired Eli has Colby so wrapped around his finger that it’s laughable, but also sweet, heartwarming even. Then there’s my best friend Trevor with the gentle giant, Beau. Everyone is pairing off, quitting the fake boyfriend game. Except Benji, my free-spirited, golden retriever best friend.
“I asked Harper out and he said he’s allergic to bullshit,” I confess, voice a low murmur among the crowd of festival attendees.
Trevor’s lips form a tight line as he tilts his head, assessing me. “What’s the interest with Harper? You’re usually…” He trailsoff, looking for the right word. “Not interested in people unless you’re being paid.”
That’s true. It happens rarely. But it’s always someone who rebuffs my advances at first, someone who makes it hard, someone who makes me want to chase them. Harper’s eyes tell meyes, but his standoffish sarcastic attitude tells meno.
“Maybe I want to stay in town for a little while,” I say, ignoring his statement altogether.
Trevor teasingly punches my arm. “If you fuck around with Harper, Colby and Beau will probably kill you. From everything I’ve seen so far, they’re insanely protective of him. Despite him not really needing it. He did ask me to help him find a boyfriend…”
